-
The Best Day Trips from Antalya by Car – A Practical Driving Guide
Antalya is an excellent base for driving. The road network across the region is well-maintained, signposting on major routes is reliable in both Turkish and English, and the distances involved mean that most of the region’s significant sites are reachable within two hours from any hotel in Lara, Kundu, Konyaaltı or Belek. The following routes represent the most rewarding day trips available to travellers with a hire car — ranging from short coastal drives to longer excursions into the Taurus Mountains.
Antalya to Aspendos and Side
Distance: Aspendos 47 km / Side 75 km east of Antalya city centre Driving time: 45 minutes to Aspendos / 90 minutes to Side Road: D400 coastal highway, straightforward dual carriageway for most of the route
Aspendos Roman Theatre is the best-preserved Roman theatre in the world still in active use. The site sits 7 kilometres inland from the D400 and is well signposted. A morning visit takes approximately 90 minutes and can be combined with a drive to Side in the afternoon. Side itself is a small peninsula jutting into the Mediterranean, with Roman temples standing at the water’s edge and a town centre that manages to be genuinely atmospheric despite high visitor numbers in summer. Parking on the approach road to the peninsula is straightforward outside of peak hours.
Antalya to Köprülü Canyon
Distance: 90 km northeast of Antalya Driving time: Approximately 90 minutes Road: D400 east then inland via Serik — roads narrow and rise significantly after the turn-off
The Köprülü Canyon National Park is one of the least-visited major natural sites in the Antalya region despite being one of the most impressive. The canyon itself is a deep limestone gorge carved by the Köprüçay River, crossed by two intact Roman bridges — Oluk Köprüsü and Büğrüm Köprüsü — that have carried traffic continuously for nearly two thousand years. The drive up into the Taurus foothills passes through pine forest and small farming villages. A convertible or SUV makes the approach roads noticeably more enjoyable. Rafting on the river is available through local operators at the canyon floor.
Antalya to Alanya
Distance: 125 km east along the coast Driving time: Approximately 2 hours Road: D400, well-maintained dual carriageway throughout
Alanya is a full day’s excursion rather than a half-day trip. The Alanya Fortress, which sits on a promontory 250 metres above the harbour, is the primary draw — the walls encircle the entire headland and the views over the eastern and western beaches from the top are exceptional. Cleopatra Beach below the fortress is one of the most visited in Turkey. The return drive along the D400 at dusk, with the coast to the south and the mountains turning red behind you, is worth factoring into the schedule.
Antalya Old Town – Kaleiçi
Distance: 8 km from Lara / 4 km from the city centre Driving time: 15–20 minutes Road: Urban — allow time for parking on the approach
Kaleiçi is the old walled city of Antalya, and while it is not a day trip in the conventional sense for guests staying in the city, travellers based in Lara, Kundu or Belek will want to dedicate an afternoon to it. The neighbourhood sits within intact Roman and Ottoman walls above the old harbour. The streets are narrow enough to make driving inside impractical — park on the western edge near the Hadrian’s Gate entrance and continue on foot. The harbour below the cliffs is the starting point for several boat tour operators running day trips along the coast.
Antalya to Pamukkale
Distance: 205 km northwest via the D685 Driving time: Approximately 2 hours 45 minutes each way Road: Inland highway — long but uncomplicated
Pamukkale — the white travertine terraces fed by thermal springs — is a longer commitment but entirely achievable as a single long day from Antalya. An early departure by 07:00 allows three to four hours at the site, which includes the terraces themselves and the ancient city of Hierapolis above them. Return by early evening. The drive passes through Burdur and Denizli and is largely unremarkable scenically, but the destination justifies the distance.
What to Know Before You Drive
Turkish roads operate on the right-hand side. Speed limits are 50 km/h in urban areas, 90 km/h on single carriageways and 120 km/h on motorways. Radar enforcement on the D400 corridor is active and consistent — local drivers treat the limits seriously on this route.
Petrol stations are frequent on all major routes. Most accept debit card payment. Motorway tolls are collected electronically via the HGS system — your hire vehicle will already have an active HGS tag fitted. Toll costs will be invoiced separately after your hire period at the actual rate charged.
A hire car from Antalya Car Hire includes full CASCO insurance for all of the above routes. No additional insurance is required and no deposit is held. Contact Kadir Can to confirm availability and arrange delivery to your hotel or to Antalya Airport (AYT):
+90 507 650 67 69
